Sarah Cambidge grew up in Vancouver, B.C. She was 12 years old when a woman approached her and her mother after a choir performance and told her to keep the University of Denver in mind when she was looking for colleges. Years later, Cambidge’s mom remembered that encounter and suggested her daughter look at DU.

“I auditioned at two schools,” Cambidge says. “I fell in love with DU and I ended up getting in here, so I canceled my other audition.”

And on June 4, she’ll graduate with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from DU’s Lamont School of Music.

“It was a perfect fit for me,” she says.

Cambidge is a soprano and started her DU career by singing with the chorus in Cosi fan Tutti and had the role of Micaela in Carmen. This year she had the leading opera role as Suor Angelica in Puccini’s Suor Angelica.

“I was so grateful to play Suor Angelica,” Cambidge says. “She’s a very complex character and Puccini is my favorite composer of all time.”

DU Instructor Ruth Baker was Cambidge’s voice coach for the role.

“Sarah Cambidge has an extraordinary soprano voice,” Baker says. “She has a fantastic attitude and work ethic. She is truly an exceptional young talent.”

Cambidge also has competed in the National Association of Teachers’ singing competition twice and was awarded first place both years. Last spring, as a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity for women, she competed and was awarded first place in the Sigma Alpha Iota Denver Alumni Scholarship Competition.

She also works behind the scenes, taking roles as the stage manager in productions from The Magic Flute to Die Fledermaus.

Cambidge will stay at DU for two more years to complete her master’s degree in vocal performance. She hopes eventually to perform in opera productions.

“It’s been amazing. I feel like I’ve really developed as a musician and a person,” she says. “I am looking forward to my future that Lamont and the University of Denver is preparing me for.”

DU’s undergraduate Commencement ceremony will be 9:30 a.m. June 4 at Magness Arena. For more information or to watch a live stream of the ceremony, visit the DU Commencement website.